nODS

New technologies for obtaining reinforced metallic materials through oxide dispersion strengthening.

The nODS project develops and demonstrates alternative production routes for metal matrix composite materials reinforced by ceramic particles. The solution combines the fundamental knowledge of powder metallurgy with two innovative tools: severe plastic deformation and additive manufacturing.

The study contemplates the modification of the raw material through three different routes: the processing of metal powder in a reactive atmosphere, its coating through acoustic mixing, and modification during sintering. These three procedures enable the production of metallic powder with ceramic particles of different characteristics and with clearly differentiated industrial implications.

These precursors must be consolidated to obtain a metal matrix composite material with oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) properties in an efficient and scalable manner. To achieve this, two options are explored. The first employs severe plastic deformation through the Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) process. The second utilises powder bed fusion additive manufacturing: a development enabled by the ability to produce spherical metallic powders incorporating ceramic reinforcements.

The project is structured around results with various levels of technological readiness. As an exploitable result, work is being done on a copper-based alloy for immediate use in welding electrodes, with potential transferability to power plants. At the laboratory scale, a resistant and biocompatible titanium-based product is being developed.

Finally, at an exploratory level, the project seeks the demonstration of ODS-type behaviour alloys consolidated by additive manufacturing, with the potential to replace nickel superalloys with stainless steel-based materials.

The project involves two partners with a high technical level and research experience. The company AMES, a Spanish leader in powder metallurgy and the production of alloys and components for advanced applications, provides its industrial capacity.

Meanwhile, Eurecat serves as the technical coordinator and participates through its Metallic and Ceramic Materials Unit, contributing its expertise in materials development, production processes, and metallurgical studies at a European level.